UT Permian Basin men's basketball stepped on the court against another team for the first time in 2018-19 and gave division I Texas El Paso all they could handle in the first half of a 90-63 UTEP win in the season opener for the Miners in El Paso, Texas.

Trailing early 12-3, the Falcons evened the game at 17-17 halfway through the first half behind a 14-5 run that featured eight points by Kyree Elder, six coming on a pair of 3-pointers.

UTPB was able to tie the game three more times in the first half, the third time with 2:09 remaining in the first on a layup by Demarco Jackson to even the game at 32-32.

"I thought the first half was indicative of who we are," said UTPB head coach Josh Newman. "We got down early, missed a lot of easy shots, but we settled down and to be down four at halftime with five guys with two fouls, I was very pleased."

Elder led the Falcons on the night with 20 points on 6-13 shooting with a pair of three-pointers and a 6-6 night at the free throw line. He tied with Xavier Ledet with seven rebounds in the game. Jacob Ledoux added 12 points to end the night in double figures for UTPB.

"I think we went in with a couple of questions, things we wanted to see, and when we get back and watch the film we'll walk away with a number of answers, both things that worked and things that didn't work," said Newman.

The Falcons return to action in three days, heading to Colorado to open the season in a pair of games against Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference foes. UTPB faces Adams State Friday night, and takes on Western State Colorado Saturday before returning to Odessa.

"We''re ready," noted Newman. "The guys are excited. I'm excited. Its tough to play an exhibition game because you know it doesn't count and you're going to try things. We're ready for Friday and all of our focus is now on Adams State."